stevethemook Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 Hi , On the way back from Le Mans my cycle wing came loose. 😳.used a tyrap or two to fix. Now Ive bought some Big Head fasteners but cant decide whether to use the Fibre Glass method of fixing or use the Sicaflex glue. It looks though Simon (the previous owner) went down the big head route but only on one wing (which stayed on and It looks like fibre glass..and looks firm ). How has anybody been finding the glue over the last couple of years. Ta Steve Novice in a Nova Violet Brute.S777 XTC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonbell Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 I just sikaflexed my wings directly onto the wing stays, they haven't moved in 10000 miles..... Simon Bell - Caterham 7 Duratec R I`ve seen the future.....and it`s powered by duratec Check out the website here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blade_runner Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 I had read on here a few people have had big head's fail, where the wire is welded to the base, so before I fitted mine I got a friend to silver solder over the weld as it did look a little patchy on a couple of them, been on a year and a half with no probs, I just used Tiger seal to attach them. make sure you roughen or 'key' the wing first and clean with something like Panel wipe so its spotlessly clean and free from grease 'Pinky Pics' here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusCat Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 I lost a wing and as a result a windscreen the first day I had the car resulting in a £350 bill. Glued the new wing back on with Sikaflex - came loose 2 years later. The wings are now bolted on with alun key flange button headed bolts here, which I think looks fine, although some think it's not very nice. But I'm willing to forego aesthetics for peace of mind of knowing they’ll stay on. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shn7 Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 If you use sikaflex you need to made sure it's the correct type. Can't recall swhich number but a search will find it. Using the wrong type will lead to failure. My wings have been secure for the last 2 years 5,000 miles using bigheads/sikaflex/ty-wraps. Steve. Sussex (West) AO Not forgetting Percy the Polar Bear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Perry Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 In the last 17 years I have used both the bolt on on glue on big head method on mine. The latter method with the big heads and adhesive has given me fewer problems since I started to use it Bolts are fine, but I have found that cracks usually appear in the GRP near the bolts after a while no matter what type you use Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I reply to every thread Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 Sikaflex 292 - or Wurth zebra Mine are still solid after 2 years with bigheads and a few trips up to 140 mph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grubbster Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 Correct, use 292 and you'll have no problems (but it is expensive). Sikaflex is only a brand, they make many different sealants and adhesives - I guess that is why you'll hear of failures. I cannot believe that if you prep the surface and use 292 that the bond would fail - it is strong stuff Mine have been on for 3 years - no problems so far and plenty of trackdays to test them at high speed. Now 291 on the other hand is not a good adhesive and probably wouldn't last much more than a week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemo Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 I attached mine with TigerSeal direct onto the wing stays. The front steering/suspension has been stripped and replaced and the car sent back to Arch for a reskin with them still attached to the wingstays. They show no signs of coming adrift. Tigerseal gets a from me. Green Gold Gobbler **Updated** Photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moosetestbestanden Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 If you're going the Bighead route, while the wings are off consider slipping some heat-shrink tubing over the stays. I left it a little long, spooted a blob (technical terminology learned watching NASCOWR 'racin)of rubberized waterproofing on the end and shrunk away. Not that it's critical, but it works great for vibration isolation and a little vertical compliance. ------- Chris Ad majorem 7 gloriam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisddl Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 Screws, screws and again screws. No issues with them flying off and possible smashing into you or someone else. ChrisL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k80rum Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 My Sikaflex 292 was still holding tight after 8 years and took still a bit of effort when i came to strip the wingstays from the c/f wings. I roughed the wingstays first to provide a key. Darren E Website and Emerald maps library Superlight R #54 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevethemook Posted June 27, 2007 Author Share Posted June 27, 2007 Thanks for all the comments. Having a bit of a problem getting Sikaflex 292..Chandlers only have 291 which is a no no. Will order via the web .. Did anybody use the Sikaflex Primer as its blinking expensive stuff but if its going to stop me headbutting the wing then Ill use it.. Thanks Steve Northerner in a Nova Violet Brute.S777 XTC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wasp Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 Tigerseal works for me. 😬............but its a bugger to get off your hands Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grubbster Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 I never used the primer Steve, the 292 was expensive enough on its own! For a short while only - the Silverstone grid girls here (and a few nice cars!) Wightblat 2007 pictures here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blade_runner Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 Mine were bonded when I first had the car, one of mine only came off because I walked into the car in switzerland in the dark! loosened it, which I forgot about then it came off over the start finish straight at Snetterton at about a ton! the Sikaflex was still attached to the wing, but the powdercoat had come off the wingstay I have heard some people grind the powdercoating off before bonging wings to the stays. 'Pinky Pics' here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philwaters Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 Stikaflex and then I added some fiberglass over the top - belt and braces, but they are very solid! Phil Waters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusCat Posted June 28, 2007 Share Posted June 28, 2007 I had the same problem as Blade runner, it was the powdercoating/rust on the wingstay that came adrift. I stripped of the last of the coating, used the Sika primer and 292 (around £40 including postage ) and it still only lasted 2 years. So I went for the certainty of bolts at £4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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